MEASURING STUDENT SATISFACTION PERCEPTIONS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES (CASE OF GEORGIA)

The work in this paper seeks to determine the quality of education services in private and public universities in Georgia using student satisfaction levels as a measure of quality. It is understood that student satisfaction cannot be used as the only measure of quality, but it is an important indicator for it. In Georgia, student satisfaction survey results are considered during the institutional authorization (licensing) and programme accreditation by the National Center for Education Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), which stresses the importance of student satisfaction for Georgian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Student satisfaction is also a crucial factor for student attraction and retention, necessary for survival in the competitive market of education and is linked to student success, retention and graduation. The development of students and their increased satisfaction leads to the increased reputation of HEI. The study analyzed the student satisfaction survey results, that was completed by the students in public and private universities in Tbilisi, Georgia. The survey items were designed for this research. The results from this study can be used by both private and public HEIs to improve quality and increase student satisfaction levels, as well as by the policy-makers in education. The results of the study show that student satisfaction level is higher among private university students. The difference may be explained by the funding model of higher education in Georgia.